Emissions targets agreed by central government and the programme for delivering change, as set out in the UK Climate Change Programme.

Opportunity to lead the response as a local level, encouraging and helping local residents, local businesses and other organisations - to reduce their energy costs, to reduce congestion, to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to improve the local environment and to deal with fuel poverty in our communities.

Endorsement of this declaration by central government.

We commit our organisation from this date (Friday 15 December 2006) to

Work with central government to contribute, at a local level, to the delivery of the UK Climate Change Programme, the Kyoto Protocol and targets for carbon dioxide reduction.

Participate in local and regional networks for support.

Within the next two years, develop plans with our partners and local communities to progressively address the causes and the impacts of climate change, according to our local priorities, securing maximum benefit for our communities.

Publicly declare, within appropriate plans and strategies, the commitment to achieve a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from our own operations, especially energy sourcing and use, travel and transport, water production and disposal and the purchasing of goods and services.

Assess the risk associated with climate change and the implications for our services and our communities of climate change impacts and adapt accordingly.

Encourage all sectors in our local community to take the opportunity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions, and to make public their commitment to action.

Help local communities to develop their own renewable energy projects, or to obtain community benefits from such projects in their area.

Monitor the progress of our plans against the actions needed and publish the result.

Stafford Borough Council acknowledges the increasing impact that climate change will have on our community during the 21st century and commits to tackling the causes and effects of a changing climate on our County.